Air-Fried Ribeye: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking ribeye steak in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this cut of meat. It's perfect for a date night or a quick weeknight meal, and it's ready in under 15 minutes. The air fryer method is less greasy than traditional frying and produces a juicy, tender steak. You can marinate the ribeye in the morning and cook it at night, or simply season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before placing it in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, then cook the steak for around 5-8 minutes per side, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a medium-rare steak, aim for an internal temperature of 130°F.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in cooking ribeye steaks. While preheating is not necessary for most air fryer recipes, it is essential when cooking steak or lamb chops to achieve that desirable sear on the outside of the meat.

To preheat your air fryer, set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes until it is nice and hot. Some recipes suggest preheating at a slightly lower temperature of 390°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. You can also preheat your air fryer on the “Broil” setting, which is ideal for achieving a crispy crust when you flip your steaks.

Before preheating, ensure your ribeye steaks are at room temperature. This is an important step to ensure even cooking. Take your steaks out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to cook them.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to cook your ribeye steaks. Place the steaks in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-6 minutes per side for medium-rare, flipping halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your steaks and your specific air fryer model, so it is always a good idea to use a digital instant-read meat thermometer to ensure your steaks are cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Seasoning and marinating the ribeye

Seasoning and marinating your ribeye steak is a crucial step in the cooking process, as it enhances the flavour and juiciness of the meat. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you season and marinate your ribeye steak perfectly before air frying:

Firstly, bring your steak to room temperature by taking it out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This step is important because it helps the steak cook more evenly and ensures a more precise final result. While you're waiting, you can prepare the seasoning and marinate the steak.

For seasoning, you can keep it simple with just salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This classic combination will enhance the natural flavour of the meat without overwhelming it. Liberally season both sides of the steak, ensuring an even coating. You can also experiment with other seasonings like steak seasoning blends or fresh herbs, adjusting to your taste preferences.

If you want to add extra flavour, you can marinate the steak. A simple marinade can be made by combining soy sauce, olive oil, and your chosen seasonings in a large resealable bag. Place the steak in the bag, ensuring it is fully coated, and leave it to marinate for at least 2 hours or even overnight in the refrigerator. When you're ready to cook, remove the steak from the bag, discarding the excess marinade, and pat the steak dry with paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Once your steak is seasoned and/or marinated, it's now ready for the air fryer! Remember to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and a nice sear on the outside of the meat. This step is especially important when cooking steak in an air fryer.

Cooking time and temperature

Cooking ribeye steaks in an air fryer is a fast, easy, and delicious way to prepare a juicy steak. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer ribeye steaks will depend on the desired level of doneness and the thickness of the steaks.

Firstly, it is important to ensure the steak is at room temperature before cooking. This allows for more even cooking and helps the steak cook quicker. To do this, remove the steak from the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before cooking and pat it dry.

For a medium-rare steak, cook the ribeye for 5–6 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through. The steak should be removed from the air fryer when the internal temperature reaches 130°F (54°C). For a perfect medium with a pink center, increase the cooking time to 7–8 minutes on each side and aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). For a well-done steak, cook the ribeye for 9–10 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

It is important to note that different air fryer brands may vary, and the cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of the steaks. To ensure the steak is cooked to your desired level of doneness, it is recommended to use a digital instant-read meat thermometer.

After cooking, let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful steak.

Resting the steak

To rest the steak, place it on a large plate or cutting board and loosely cover it with a piece of foil. The general rule of thumb is to let the steak rest for about 5 minutes for every inch of thickness. For example, if your steak is 1 inch thick, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. If your steak is 2 inches thick, let it rest for 10 minutes.

While the steak is resting, the internal muscle fibers relax, and the juices redistribute. This process ensures that the steak is juicy and flavorful when served. It also gives the steak time to reach its desired doneness temperature.

For a medium-rare steak, remove the steak from the air fryer at an internal temperature of 130°F. The steak will continue to cook and rise in temperature by a few degrees while resting, reaching the ideal medium-rare temperature of 135°F.

For a medium steak, pull the steak out of the air fryer at 140°F, and it will rise to 145°F while resting.

Follow these guidelines, and your ribeye steak will be cooked to perfection every time!

Serving suggestions

There are several ways to serve air fryer ribeye steak.

Firstly, it is important to let the steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute into the steak, making it more tender and flavourful. During this time, you can melt some butter on top of the steak. You can also cover the steak with foil during this time to prevent it from drying out.

You can serve the steak with a side of your choice. Some suggestions include a side salad, sweet potatoes, baby potatoes, red potatoes, or hasselback potatoes. You can also serve the steak with garlic noodles, or a pat of butter and some fresh herbs like parsley or chives on top.

If you want to add extra flavour to your steak, you can make a compound butter with roasted garlic and other herbs. You can also marinate the steak in the morning in soy sauce, olive oil, and seasoning, and then cook it in the evening.

Frequently asked questions